Jon Jones Stripped of Light Heavyweight Title After Repeated Run-ins with the Law

I always liked acclaimed UFC fighter Jon Jones. He has always represented the sports well. But times have changed for him.

The UFC stripped Jones of his light heavyweight title and suspended him indefinitely, which means he won’t be facing Anthony Johnson at UFC 187 on May 23 after he was charged with felonies related to a hit-and-run accident that took place on Sunday in Albuquerque, N.M.

Jones is accused of blowing a red light and hitting a car driving by a woman in her 20s. A man matching his description allegedly fled the scene on foot, only to return to grab money from the car. Police also found marijuana in the car.

The police were first looking for Jones for questioning. They later issued a warrant for his arrest on felony charges. He decided to turn himself in on Monday and made a court appearance on Tuesday. At first, Jones was facing misdemeanor charges, but those were upgraded when the woman’s injuries turned out to be a fractured arm and wrist.

This isn’t the first time Jones has been in trouble with the law regarding driving and alcohol and drug-related issues. In 2012 he smacked his Bentley into a telephone pole in New York and pleaded guilty to drunk driving. But his woes didn’t stop there, as he tested positive for cocaine in January, prior to his UFC 182 fight with Daniel Cormier.

The UFC released a statement saying it was suspending Jones based on him violating the organization’s code of conduct.

“Jones was recently arrested in Albuquerque, N.M., on a felony charge of leaving the scene of an accident involving personal injury. As a result of the charge and other violations of the Athlete Code of Conduct Policy, the organization believes it is best to allow Jones time to focus on his pending legal matters,” the organization said in a statement.

“UFC feels strongly that its athletes must uphold certain standards both in and out of the Octagon. While there is disappointment in the recent charges, the organization remains supportive of Jones as he works through the legal process.”

Let’s hope he follows up those words with actions, and gets the help he needs.

About the author

Jerry Del Priore is a veteran freelance sports writer from Brooklyn, New York, who covers a variety of professional, college and high school sports for a number of print and digital publications.
In addition, Del Priore is the author of Running Through Roadblocks: Inspirational Stories of Twenty Courageous Athletic Warriors, available on Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com.